29 houses of Hindus burnt in Bangladesh amid protests over Durga Puja violence, situation tense
A group of assailants torched 29 houses of Hindus in Bangladesh amid protests by the minority community against the demolition of a temple during the Durga Puja festival last week. This information was given in the news of local media on Monday.
Rumors spread through Facebook post
Local media reported that the arson took place late on Sunday at a village in Peerganj in Rangpur district, which is about 255 km from here. The news quoted District Superintendent of Police Mohd Kamarujamman as saying that a Facebook post spread rumors that a young Hindu man from the village had “insulted religion”, following which the police rushed there. Reportedly, the police were stationed outside the man’s house while the attackers set fire to other houses.
Cause of fire identified as ‘uncontrolled crowd’
The fire control room said 29 houses, two kitchens, two barns and 20 piles of dry grass were torched in Piroganj Majhipara area. The cause of the fire has been identified as ‘uncontrolled mob’, the report said. According to the news, the fire service received information about the fire at 9:45 pm and it was doused at 4:10 am. There is no news of any casualties at the moment.
Communal tension started from Comilla area
The incident of setting fire to a Durga Puja pandal in Comilla area was triggered by communal tension following alleged blasphemy. The incident in Comilla area last week led to attacks on Hindu temples and clashes between police and attackers in several districts including Comilla, Chandpur, Chattgram, Cox’s Bazar, Bandarban, Moulvibazar, Ghazipur, Feni. Several people have been arrested for the attacks and spreading communal hatred on social media.
Four Hindu devotees have died so far
Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council has alleged that at least four Hindu pilgrims were killed in the attacks in Chandpur and Noakhali. Meanwhile, the Anti-Crime Force Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has arrested two more people for vandalizing shops and temples of Hindu minority community in Feni.
